Chapter 1

Celestina’s POV

I felt utterly frozen to the spot I stood, outside the office of my husband Jason. Hot flashes coursed through my body, as I heard the conversation going on inside. So five years of my fairytale marriage was nothing but a deceitful mirage.

“But babe, for how long do we have to continue sneaking around till you finally leave that crazy bitch. Aren't you ready for us to start our own family, especially with the baby on the way?”

My legs went weak at the sound of my step-sister's voice, Alexandrina, so my husband Jason was responsible for my sister's pregnancy.

“Not for too long,babe; I just need her to sign over control of the company to me before she loses her mind completely.” I heard Jason's voice respond.

My hands trembled violently, tears blurred my vision.

For the past two years, I have been battling with my mental health paranoia. I had visited several doctors, but still, the cause of it was unknown. Through it all, my husband Jason had been my rock and backbone supporting me through it all.

Or so I thought, so he was just sticking around so I could sign over the multi-million dollar company my late mother left for me. While sneaking around with my sister.

I heard Alexandria kiss her teeth, “Oh please, just trick her into doing that already. Then we can lock her up in a mental institution.”

“Yeah, you're right babe. No one would miss Celestina’s gloomy ass moping around all day. Then we can be together.” Jason said, chuckling.

I dug my fingernails into my palms, almost drawing blood. So this was the plan after all.

The tears I had been struggling to hold came pouring out and I was choking on sobs. I had heard enough; I tiptoed away from the office to the elevator to leave the building.

To think I came here to surprise my husband and take him out for lunch. Only to be hit by the most gut-wrenching news, my husband wants to get rid of me, and he's expecting a baby!

For years, I had begged Jason to let us have kids, but he refused, giving the excuse that kids spoiled all the fun. What a liar.

I wiped my tears not wanting to draw attention from Jason's nosey colleagues.

…………

I had spent the evening crying and hoping it was all nothing but one of my delusions, but it was all too real; the hurt in my chest that had erupted like a volcano let me know this was reality.

I heard the sound of Jason's car pulling into the house at exactly 12 am in the morning; I took a deep breath, hoping my eyes weren't too puffy, as I heard him open the bedroom door.

“Hi, baby,” Jason said in his usual cheery way of greeting me; he came around my side of the bed and placed a kiss on my forehead.

I had to hold my repulsive shudder. He smelt like berries and chestnut, which is Alexandria’s signature scent.

“You're home late.” I simply stated as he pulled back.

“Crazy day at work; you wouldn't even believe it.” He said as he undid his necktie.

“Of course, I know how demanding your job can be.” I gave him a plastic smile.

What a horrible liar, he was obviously with my sister.

“Weirdly, some of my colleagues mentioned they saw you at the office today?”

I almost broke out a cold sweat, I gave an awkward laugh. “Maybe they all imagined me being there or I have a doppelganger or something. I was home all day.”

He eyes me cautiously, “Did you take your medications today?” Now that he mentioned it, I realized I forgot all about it. Funny how I felt fine, maybe it was the heartbreak that was keeping me grounded.

When I didn't respond, Jason opened the drawer beside my bed, picked up my tablets, and grabbed a bottle of water.

“Here, you shouldn't be forgetting to take this. You know I need you to get better.” He says his eyes full of concern.

He was so good at this game of pretense; well, two can play.

I nodded.

I took the water and drugs from his hand and popped the pills into my mouth, before washing them down with water.

“Thank you, you take so good care of me,” I said although my heart hurt at his pretense and false charming behavior that wooed me five years ago.

He bent and pressed a kiss to my lips, “I'll always take care of you. You should get some sleep.”

I could already feel the drugs kicking in, extreme drowsiness was one of the many symptoms of the drugs I had to take. I closed my eyes surrendering to the sweet unconsciousness, hoping I could wake up and today would be nothing but a nightmare.

Chapter 2

By the next morning when I woke up after being knocked out by the medication, I realized as usual Jason had left for work.

He couldn't even wait an extra hour for me, his sick wife, to wake up and make sure I was good before running to his office where his lover, my sister, could visit.

Swinging my legs down from the bed, I got to work. First things first, I needed to get evidence of the secret affair between Jason and Alexandrian.

My eyes caught view of his laptop which he didn't carry to work. I quickly turn the key, locking the door.

I grab the laptop and sit on the bed with it in my lap, quickly turning it on.

The first thing I notice is a baby bump with Obviously Jason's hand over it as the lock screen, which I knew from the wedding band.

On a closer look, I realized it was Alexandrina’s belly; she still wore her gold studded belly piercing.

My heart felt like it was being torn into a thousand pieces.

With my shaky finger, I tried to figure out the password. I tried my birthday, but it didn't work; I tried his birthday, but it didn't work.

I tried several dates, our wedding and anniversary dates, but still none worked. In frustration, I tried Alexandrina's birthday, and it opened instantly.

Jason takes his privacy seriously; I knew if I logged into his social media account, he would get notified. I checked his photo app looking for evidence, and after a few swipes, I came across a photo of an unknown vacation.

My whole family was in the pictures, including my Dad; my hands became as cold as ice as I checked the date. It was just this year when I was held up temporarily in an asylum for treatment, I had the worst attack of paranoia then.

The last picture was one of Jason and Alexandrian kissing while my family cheered. Hot tears spilled down my cheeks. I knew my family didn't like me, but this was brutal. They were all aware of the affair between my husband and Alexandrian.

My family dislikes me because I refuse to share the company with them, my mum was already divorced from my Dad when she died.

In her will, she specifically requested I give not a single penny of her money to any family member except in life-threatening situations. As she was ill-treated by the family.

Following my mother's will is what caused the friction between my family and me. Even still against my mother's wishes, I allowed them access to one of the accounts but they weren't satisfied.

I exited the app and shut the laptop off. I had seen enough, I kept the laptop back in its place.

It was obvious I wasn't wanted around here, I wiped my tears and picked up my cellphone. I quickly downloaded divorce papers online and booked the next available flight to a foreign country.

My phone startled me by ringing aggressively. It was Jason calling. I didn't feel like answering the call, but not to seem suspicious, I did.

“Hello,” I said trying to make my voice seem normal.

“Hi baby, sorry I couldn't wait for you to wake up, you slept so soundly. But I intend to make it up, I have a dress being sent to you. I'll pick you up by 7 for a special dinner.”

I didn't even feel the least bit excited. “Oh, that's nice,” I respond dryly.

Jason laughed, “I know baby, you're welcome. Catch you later.”

“Bye,” I said as I turned off the call. Refusing to let the pain of Jason and my family's betrayal consume me. I decided to go to the home office and print out two copies of the divorce papers.

_______________

I arrived at the dinner in a private cab; Jason had called at the last minute, giving an excuse as to why he couldn't pick me up.

The moment I entered the restaurant, I knew I had made a terrible mistake coming here.

My family members were all seated,already having dinner without me. Jason didn't notice my entrance at first as he busied himself sitting next to Alexandria and feeding her like she was handicapped.

The sight of it made bile come up my chest. I cleared my throat softly and everyone looked in my direction.

Jason stood up immediately approaching me with a smile, “Welcome baby, sorry I couldn't pick you up. Alexandrian’s car broke down on the way. You know she's pregnant, I had to go help.”

Of course, it had to be about her, “Why didn't you tell me this was going to be a dinner with my family?” I whispered to him, but he ignored my question and placed a hand on the small of my back, guiding me to a seat opposite my father.

Chapter 3

“Good evening, Dad,” I say reluctantly; the last time we had met, we ended up exchanging unpleasant words and have spoken since then.

“Good evening.” He says sternly. It was so hard to believe this was the same loving father I had grown up with who had changed all because of money.

Jason gives me an encouraging nod and hurries away back to Alexandrina's side like a dotting husband

Of course, it had to be about her, “Why didn't you tell me this was going to be a dinner with my family?” I whispered to him, but he ignored my question and placed a hand on the small of my back, guiding me to a seat opposite my father.

“Good evening, Dad,” I say reluctantly; the last time we had met, we ended up exchanging unpleasant words and have spoken since then.

“Good evening.” He says sternly. It was so hard to believe this was the same loving father I had grown up with who had changed all because of money.

Jason gives me an encouraging nod and hurries away back to Alexandrina's side like a dotting husband.

I could see Alexandrina glare at me because Jason was giving me attention. The moment I got seated my Dad banged his hand on the table, his face red in anger.

“Why do you always have to be so rude and unreasonable. If not for Jason, you'd have walked out of here laughing like a lunatic.”

I could see Alexandrina give me a wicked smirk; she enjoyed seeing me and my family fight because of her.

I took a deep breath trying to still my raging temper within me. First, at myself for believing Jason wanted to treat me to a nice dinner, then at my family's endless greed.

Feeling calm enough I spoke in a controlled tone.

“First of all, you are all insane, not me. In fact, I may be the only one with a brain in their head here. Alexandrian has no right at all to my inheritance, she's not my blood sister even, not from my father or mother.”

The whole room gasped, and their mouths fell open at my declaration, but I refused to be deterred by their reactions. “Yes, I said it! She's only my step-sister because her mum here married my Dad.”

My Dad stood up angrily, “Why do you have to be so damn selfish Celestina! You're so heartless; how can you say such hurtful words to your sister when she's pregnant? You know her blood pressure is fluctuating.”

On cue, I see Alexandrina put a delicate hand to her forehead, “Dad, don't worry, it's fine….I don't feel so good.”

Her chest heaves up and and down faster as though she was finding it harder to get air. I rolled my eyes in irritation, I couldn't hold it anymore.

“Stop faking, Alexandrian; we both know there's absolutely nothing wrong with you.”

The words were barely out of my mouth before I felt a sting on my face; I staggered back, falling to the floor. I cupped my cheek in hurt and raised my head to look at my father who had just slapped me.

“How dare you speak to your sister. You don't even know what it's like to be pregnant so how would you know what the symptoms are like?”

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I refused to shed them; I wasn't going to give them the pleasure of seeing me cry.

I looked to Jason who was glaring at me while holding Alexandrian, “You know what, they were all right about you. I set up this dinner so you could be reasonable and do the right thing. But your selfishness wouldn't let you, now you've upset Alexandrian, and she's pregnant.”

But… she's faking.” I said with a broken voice my throat tight with tears.

“I don't want to hear a single word from you. Just get out.” Jake says in a stern voice; Alexandrian smirks at me briefly but quickly goes back to her fake act of not being well.

I stand up from the ground unaided, “Can't you alll see, you're all being blinded.” I say trying to make them see reason with me.

Angela immediately fakes a worried face, “Jason, I hope you still have the medication the doctor gave you. She's looking a bit crazy right now, I think you should sedate her.”

I feel enraged at her words, “I'm not crazy, I'm merely mad at you all.” I say raising my voice in anger.

Blinded by anger and tears, I didn't notice Jason come up behind me till I felt the prick of a needle and a liquid inserted into my body. I turned around, and my last blurry image was Jason injecting me with a strange liquid.